Have you ever acted unlike you? Have you done something that it's usually not you? Or maybe you speak a certain way? Or pretend to be someone who you are not, just so you can fit in? Sounds familiar? Well, this can be pretty common for many and especially young people trying to find their feet. There's often pressure to fit in and meet the expectations of others, which can make it hard to stay true to yourself. However, being authentic is essential to living a fulfilling life and finding happiness.

Today I speak with Anne Manuales about the challenges facing the youth today. Anne was born in the Philippines grew up and moved to the UK at a young age. Anne shares her experience of growing up in a single mother household, how Anne had to grow faster and what it means for youth today. Furthermore, Anne discusses the mental health challenges faced by the youth today including harming yourself as a norm. Getting help by youth today is not easy and Anne shares the push back she got when faced by such challenges. Anne eventually landed a job as an apprentice at Google with her own conviction and hard work. A brilliant discussion if you want to understand what youth face today

Today I speak with Noah, an up-and-coming rapper music artist about all the struggles in making it big in the music industry. The mental health struggles young people are going through and what can be done. 

Noah Bouchard is a 25 year old alternative hip hop artist from Cardiff, Wales, now based in East London. He is known for creating lyrically focused and vulnerable music. 

One of his earlier songs, Pantomime, has now streamed over 3 million times on Spotify alone, gaining hundreds of thousands of streams and views on other platforms also. Noah has performed countless times across Wales and in other parts of the UK, including 2 intimate sold out headline shows in Cardiff and London, as well as performances at the BBC 6 Music Fringe Festival, Hub Festival and the National Lottery's ReviveLive Tour.

Noah is one of the current artists supported by Youth Music UK’s NextGen Fund and has had support previously from the BBC Wales Horizon's Launchpad Fund, as well as being played on BBC Radio 1xtra, BBC Radio Wales, Reprezent, Unity Radio, Netil Radio, Balamii Radio and many more. 

He has also been featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday and Fresh Finds playlists, as well as playlists by Ministry of Sound and Wordplay Magazine to name a few. You can listen to his music here - https://linktr.ee/noah.bouchard?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Go check out the episode!